Trump triggers nuke fears

HILLARY Clinton's campaign running mate has said he is nervous Donald Trump could have a "quick trigger finger” that may plunge the US and the world into a nuclear catastrophe.

Tim Kaine, the Democratic candidate for vice- president, also said the president's team contained members of the "club of the wacky” and "people who scare me to death”.

Some actions of the Trump administration, he added, had been a national embarrassment.

But the only thing that could stop Mr Trump serving a full four-year term, he argued, was if "unstoppable” investigations into what happened during the election uncovered "direct evidence of collusion between candidate Trump and Russia”.

Addressing an audience at the Chatham House international affairs think tank in London, the Virginia Senator admitted: "I am nervous about President Trump and could there be a quick trigger finger in a way where we overreact to something, and there could be something very dangerous. Absolutely.”

His admission came when he was challenged whether he stood by comments made in the vice-presidential debate with Mike Pence, during which Mr Kaine warned: "Ronald Reagan said the problem with nuclear proliferation is that some fool or maniac could trigger a catastrophic event. And I think that's who Governor Pence's running mate is. Exactly who Ronald Reagan warned us of.”

Mr Kaine also told the Chatham House audience: "There are some really sharp global figures who are part of the Trump team, (but) there are some people who scare me to death.”

Attempting to strike a note of optimism, however, Mr Kaine suggested the "club of the mature” might prevail over "the club of the wacky” within the Trump administration.

"That's why I have been so quick to support some of the Trump cabinet nominations,” he said.

"General (James) Mattis is going to be the right kind of person to be Secretary of Defence. General (John) Kelly is going to be the right kind of person to be head of Homeland Security.

"And I can tell you I have got uninterrupted nights of sleep since (Mike) Flynn has gone (as national security advisor).

"Trump's not going to change his personality, but he does have people around him that are smart folks.”

Mr Kaine said it was now impossible for the administration to dodge questions about possible links between the President's associates and Russia.

"The resignation of General Flynn fundamen- tally changes it,” he said.

"This is now in the White House, that the national security advisor was having back-channel discussions with Russians in the lame duck sessions and after inauguration.” - INM